but for these senate democrats, america would not be facing a fiscal cliff today. president obama in a radically different congress controlled by house speaker nancy pelosi and senate majority leader harry reid revisitted the bush tax cuts. in two separate votes in february, 2009, and december, 2010, democrats could have increased taxes on the wealthy if they really believed that what they now say. did they raise taxes on the wealthy? no. why not? democrats could have permanently protected lower and middle income families there higher taxes if democrats really believed what they now say. did they? no. why not? mr. speaker, why would a democrat congress and white house say they want to tax the wealthy but not do it? why would a democrat congress and white house say they want permanent tax relief for lower and middle income taxpayers yet not give it? the answer is simple, washington democrats twice voted against tax increases on the wealthy and twice voted against giving permanent tax relief to lower and middle income families so that they could run campaigns onp hum